Mandatory CPR lessons 'could save 5,000 lives every year'

Compulsory CPR lessons in secondary schools "could save 5,000 lives" every year, according to health campaigners.

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) said 22,000 people die every year because they have a heart attack at home, which shocked relatives are unable to treat.

The charity believes mandatory CPR skills and awareness campaigns could help save over a quarter every year.

Less than one in 10 people survive a heart attack at home, the BHF said, partly because so over half (61%) did not feel confident administering CPR.

CPR can double a person's chance of survival which is launching a National Lifesavers campaign which calls for mandatory CPR in secondary schools.

A BHF commissioned survey - which quizzed 2,072 adults - found 46% of people would be deterred by the 'fear of causing more harm than good, 40% of people lack the knowledge and skills to act and 57% said they would look for someone else to take the lead if they were to witness a medical emergency.

To mark the campaign launch, the BHF and Yorkshire Ambulance Service are today training nearly 12,000 children in a bid to inspire all secondary schools to register for a free CPR training kit.

BHF chief executive Simon Gillespie said: